Support group helps those mourning loss
CENTER TWP — Those experiencing grief at the death of a loved one needn't suffer alone.
A church is offering GriefShare, a 13-week Christian grief-recovery support group for all people mourning the loss of a loved one.
The Rev. Tim Goodman, an associate pastor at First United Methodist Church, 200 E. North St., said that while the GriefShare began last week, it doesn't mean people can't join the group which meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Crossfire campus of the First United Methodist Church, 1802 N. Main St. Ext.
“It's a 13-week proposition, but we aren't going to spend the first 20 minutes rehashing the previous week,” said Goodman. “People will be able to step in on week three, and that's OK because the units are self-contained. They won't get left behind.”
Goodman said each session will consist of a video which will be watched in a large group setting. The videos feature top experts discussing grief and recovery subjects.
These videos are produced in a television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies, dramatic re-enactments and on-location video
The videos are followed by small group sessions guided by two facilitators.
“The large group experience is the DVD which provides expert counseling in grief with the hope we have in Jesus,” said Goodman. “The second part is the small group experience which debriefs the video, goes over the participant guide and just spends some time caring for and supporting each other.”
Church member Ellen D'Urso was a facilitator when GriefShare was first offered at First United Methodist Church last fall.
She said, “The feedback from participants was so positive we are going to pursue this and continue.”
“I really feel it touches on all aspects of grief. People benefited from it last fall. The videos were helpful in addressing different aspects of grief. The group discussions helped people realize they weren't alone in working through their grief,” said D'Urso.
First United Methodist Church decided to offer the nationally recognized grief-support program last year, according to Goodman, because the church realized there were many people in and out of the church experiencing grief.
While the facilitators receive leadership training before the course begins, Goodman said, “There's no one expert in the room. We are all on the journey together. Facilitators have experienced grief at some point in their lives. They are in touch with their grief in a way that allows them to support others.”
“This is particularly about loss, someone who has died,” said D'Urso. “It varies from person to person. Everybody's experience is a little different.
“But one of the common things,” she added. “is you have your good days and then you get blindsided again. It comes in waves.”
The facilitators are not expert counselors, and Goodman said anyone seeking more help with relieving grief would be referred to Christian Counseling Associates of Western PA, which has an office at the church's downtown location at 200 E. North St.
Goodman said, “Grief is part of what it means to be on this human journey. People need to belong and people grow by being in groups. We just feel that's the way God designed us.”
WHAT: GriefShare grief-recovery support groupWHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays for 11 more consecutive weeksWHERE: First United Methodist Church Crossfire Campus, 1802 N. Main St. Ext.INFORMATION: Call the church office at 724-283-6160
